Korg Unveils the miniKORG 700Sm: A Compact Revival of an Analog Classic
- Noise Harmony
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
As the music world prepares for the 2025 NAMM Show, Korg has once again captured the attention of synthesizer enthusiasts with the announcement of the miniKORG 700Sm. This compact reissue of the legendary miniKORG 700S brings the warm, rich analog sound of the original into a smaller, more portable format.
A Compact Tribute to a Synth Legend
Originally released in the early 1970s, the miniKORG 700 was Korg’s first mass-produced monophonic analog synthesizer. Its innovative design, warm tones, and legendary Traveler filter quickly made it a favorite among musicians. Fast forward to 2021, Korg released the miniKORG 700S reissue in collaboration with the original developer, Fumio Mieda, as a full-size limited edition. This version sold out rapidly, affirming its enduring popularity.
Now, Korg is making this classic accessible to a wider audience with the miniKORG 700Sm, a version reduced to 86% of the original size for enhanced portability. Despite its compact dimensions, this new iteration retains the hallmark features of its predecessors and introduces new functionalities that bridge the gap between vintage analog charm and modern performance needs.
Features That Blend Old and New
At its core, the miniKORG 700Sm preserves the two oscillators, Traveler filter, and simple yet powerful synthesis architecture of the original. Players can enjoy shaping sounds with the same iconic ring modulator, portamento, vibrato, and chorus effects that defined the miniKORG’s sound in the 1970s. The Traveler filter’s dual high-pass and low-pass sliders remain a central feature, offering tactile control for creating wah-wah, vocal-like tones, and other expressive effects.
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New Features
Aftertouch-enabled keyboard for greater expressive control.
Multimode arpeggiator to add rhythmic complexity to performances.
Spring reverb for lush, vintage-style ambiance.
Joystick for pitch bend and modulation, expanding the instrument’s expressive capabilities.
14 sound memory slots, allowing players to save and recall custom patches.
Improved Portability and Connectivity
The miniKORG 700Sm is designed with portability in mind, measuring 641 x 228 x 107 mm and weighing just 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs). It comes with a custom soft case. Despite its compact size, it offers robust connectivity, including:
MIDI IN
USB Type B port
CV/Gate inputs
Audio input and stereo output
Sync input and output
.
A Synth for Every Setting
While the original miniKORG 700 was conceived as a “sub keyboard” for use alongside organs, the miniKORG 700Sm is equally suited for solo performances or as part of a larger stage setup. Its intuitive control layout, positioned below the keys, remains unchanged, ensuring the same hands-on experience that players loved about the original.
Traveler Filter: Classic Meets Innovation
The Traveler filter, one of the most iconic features of the miniKORG, remains a centerpiece in the 700Sm. This unique filter setup allows simultaneous control of low-pass and high-pass cutoff frequencies using two sliders. Notably, the new version removes the physical protrusions on the sliders that once prevented them from crossing—a design choice that expands sound-shaping possibilities, allowing players to experiment with new textures and tones.
A Nod to the miniKORG 700S
The miniKORG 700Sm is based on the enhanced 1974 miniKORG 700S, which introduced a second oscillator, ring modulation, and additional controls. The inclusion of two oscillators in the 700Sm ensures robust detuning for thick, layered sounds, making it a versatile tool for basslines, leads, and experimental textures.
The miniKORG 700Sm will make its official debut at the NAMM 2025 Show, held from January 21–25 in Anaheim, California. For more details, visit the official Korg website.
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